Wireless charging transfer devices are described herein that are configured to achieve wireless charging of portable electronic devices across a gap from a wireless charger. The devices include coil configuration including a receiver coil, a transmitter coil, and a bridge electrically coupling the receiver and transmitter coils across the gap. The coil configuration can be received within a housing that can provide storage space or can incorporate an expandable grip accessory.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
2. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bridge comprises an electrical path extending between edges of the receiver and transmitter coils.
3. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a connection portion extending between the upper and lower portions to receive the bridge therethrough, and a storage area disposed between the upper and lower portions, the storage area having an opening for access thereto.
4. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 3, further comprising retention members extending within an interior of the storage area to retain contents inserted into the storage area.
5. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 3, further comprising shielding extending along the upper and lower portions and the connection compartment to shield the storage area.
6. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 3, wherein the storage area further comprises sidewalls extending between the upper and lower portions; and the opening comprises a lateral opening.
7. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable sidewall has a frusto-conical configuration.
8. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the housing comprises a button mounted to an end of the expandable sidewall.
9. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the housing further comprises one or more walls configured to engage a portable computing device and couple the housing to the portable computing device.
10. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver coil is embedded within the upper portion of the housing and the transmitter coil is embedded within the lower portion of the housing.
11. The wireless power transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless power transfer apparatus comprises an induction power transfer apparatus.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein transferring the power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transfer device through the bridge extending over the gap between the receiver coil and the transmitter coil comprises transferring the power to the transmitter coil of the wireless power transfer device through an electrical path extending between edges of the receiver and transmitter coils.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving items in a storage area of the housing disposed between the upper and lower portions, the storage area having an opening for access thereto.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising shielding the storage area with shield members extending along the upper and lower portions.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising coupling the lower portion of the housing to a portable computing device.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless power transfer device comprises an induction power transfer device.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
January 8, 2021
March 21, 2023
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